Automatic pressure adjusting means



May 2, 1933. E. DAVIS AUTOMATIC PRESSURE ADJUSTING MEANS Original Filed April 12, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TT0RNEY5 E. DAVIS 1,907,146

AUTOMATIC PRESSURE ADJUSTING MEANS May 2, 1933.

Original Filed April 12, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS .f ERNEST DAVIS, 01 SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR Patented May 2, 1933 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE TO THE PROSPERITY COMPANY,

AUTOMATIC PRESSURE ADJUSTING MEANS Application filed April 12, 1928, Serial No. 269,480. Renewed June 19, 1929.

comes crushed. In other words it has for its object an automatic pressure adjusting means for maintaining constant pressure between said elements or pressing jaws which mechanism is particularly simple in construction and highly eflicient and durable in use.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention reference is I had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the automatic pressure regulating means and contiguous parts.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of the adjusting wheel and the contiguous portion of the adjustable link with which it is associated and by which the length of a toggle or other device is adjustably. changed to keep the closing pressure constant between the aws irrespective of the changing thickness of the work being pressed.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a machine embodying another form of my invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view similar to Figure 2 of the modified form of the invention.

The invention includes what may be called a length-changing device by which a movable part of the press operating means has its length automatically adjusted to compensate ing pressing elements or machine, these b8111 for variances in thickness of the pad or work being finished between the press jaws.

l and 2 designate respectively the cooperatjaws-of a pressing a head 1 and a buck 2, and the head may he movable toward and from the buck. The buck is supported ona suitable goose neck or a bracket 3which in turn is mounted upon a bench or table 4: supported by suitable framing 5.

The head 1 is here shown as carried at the front end of a press lever 6 pivoted at 7 to a standard 8 forming part of the frame.

The means for actuating the press jaw or movable element 1 in the illustratedembodiment of the invention comprises a reciprocating actuator and motion transmitting parts.

between the actuator and the movable element. The actuator is here shown as a piston rod 9, connected to a piston movable in the cylinder 10 pivoted at 11 to the under side of the table 4. The piston in this embodiment of my invention is single acting and the control of motive fluid, as air, to and from the cylinder is controlled by any suitable means not forming part of this invention.

a push button or manual 12 which when depressed permits air to flow to the cylinder 10- and a trip lever 13 controls the exhaust of air from the cylinder. However any suitable means may be used to control the air to and from the cylinder and the parts just described are mere examples. Y

The motion transmitting means between the actuator 9and the head l may also be of any suitable form, size and construction, and as here shown, comprises toggle links 14 and 15 pivoted together at 16 and pivoted respectively at 17and18 to the rear arm of the yoke lever 6 and to the frame, and in addition connections between thetoggle 14151 and the piston rod 9. These-connections comprise a combined lever and pull link 19 pivoted at 19 to the toggle link 15 and at 20 to the piston rod. 9, the combination lever coacting with a fulcrum 21 on the frame. The lever and pull link 19 is guided in its movement by a cam 22 having a cam slot 23 The control means here shown includes therein for receiving a follower pin 24 on the combined lever and pull link 19. The cam slot has a portion inclined downwardlyand forwardly out of. the horizontal and another portion inclined rearwardly out of the vertical. Owing to the slot 23 or the upper portion thereof, the fulcrum 21 may be dispensed wiph and the member 19 serve as a pull link on y.

In operation, as the piston 9 moves on its power stroke, the cam follower 24 first moves along the portion of the slot inclined out of the horizontal causing the combined lever and pull link 19 to act as a lever to move the toggle 1415 from its folded position shown in dotted lines (Figure 2) to nearly straightened position, the lever 19 sliding on its fulcrum 21 during this operation. Thereafter when the follower 24 enters the portion of the slot 23 inclined to the vertical, it acts as a pull link to straighten the toggle 1415 and apply heavy pressure between the press jaws 1 and 2. This mechanism is incidental to this invention and any suitable motion transmitting mechanism may be substituted therefor.

The subje-ct matter of this invention relates to pressure adjusting means operated by the movement of the actuatingmeans through different distances other than the normal travel or operating distance of the motion transmitting parts.

In ironing and garment pressing machines, the degree of pressure between the elements is usually adjusted manually by extending or shortening one of the motion transmitting links, say one of the links 14 or 15 of the toggle and as the pressure varies, particularly as it becomes less due to crushing of the padding on the buck, the extensible link or member is extended more or less by means of a hand adjusting member or wheel. In my invention, the automatic pressure adjusting means is shown as applied to the hand adjuster or wheel to operate it automatically as the pad crushes.

In themachine illustrated, one of the toggle links as 14 is adjustable, said link consisting of an intermediate rod 25 which threads into end sections 26 and 27 at its opposite ends by right and left hand screw connections so that turning of the rod 25 in one direction extends the link and rod 14-15 and in the other direction shortens it.

28 designates the adjuster or wheel keyed at 29 to the rod 25 to turn the same, the key 29 being slidable in a lengthwise slot or keyway 30 formed in the wheel 28 so that the hub of the wheel is free to move endwise during turning of the wheel and the wheel remains in juxtaposition to the ratchet mechanism in any axial adjustment of the rod.

The actuator 9 and the motion transmitting mechanism has a normal or predetermined throw or movement and the jaw pressure is adjusted as thepad compresses by varying the starting position of the head 1 by extending the link 14. The means for adjusting the pressure acts to automatically extend the link 14 by operating the wheel 28 upon a movement of the actuator through a difierent travel, here shown as a greater movement or travel than its normal movement or throw.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the automatic adjusting means comprises a normally idle device 31 having means for coacting with the adjuster or wheel 28, a shoulder beingprovided on the device 31 and a shoulder fixed relatively thereto or free from movement with the motion transmitting mechanism, the shoulders being normally out of each others reach or range and means operable by the movement of the actuator or the motion transmitting mechanism beyond the limits of the normal throw thereof to move one of the shoulders into the path of the other so that during the closing of the press, these shoulders coact and actuate the device 31 and cause it to actuate the adjuster or wheel 28. This move-. ment of the device 31 or the motion transmitting inechanism beyond the limits of their normal throw takes place when the head 1 travels downwardly beyond a predetermined point as when it is permitted to do so by the compressing of the pad. It will be understood that these pads compress gradually and maintain with more or less permanency their compressed condition under continuous oper ation.

The automatic adj ustingidevice 31 is in the illustrated embodiment of my invention shown as a member carried by the motion transmitting mechanism or the portion 27 of the link 14, it being a lever 31 pivoted at 32 between its ends on toggle 14-15 and coacting at its upper end 36 with a ratcheting action with the adjuster or wheel 28 and having a normally fixed. shoulder 33 at its lower end for coacting with a shoulder, as 34, on the frame 5 when the actuator or the motion transmitting mechanism moves beyond the limits of its normal throw. The shoulder 33 is here shown as a screw adjustable to vary the normal position of the shoulder orscrew;

The engagement of the shoulder 33 with the shoulder 34 causes the lever 31 to move on its pivot 32 and eventually actuate the wheel 28 to'extend the link 14, that is, to turn the rod 25 so that it threads farther out of the sections 26 and 27.

The adjuster orwheel 28 is shown as provided with ratchet teeth 35 on its lower side and the lever 31 has a pivoted pawl 36 coacting with the ratchet teeth 35 and capable of ratcheting in one direction against the action of a returning spring 37. The motion of the lever 31 when the shoulder 33 engages the shoulder 34 is against the action of a returning spring 38. The ratchet teeth on the wheel 28 and the lever 31 with its pawl 36 constitute one form of one-way clutch device. Thus, when the shoulder or adjuster 33 engages the shoulder 34'on the frame 5 and moves the adjuster '31 on its pivot, the upper end of the lever 31'is moved to the right,

Figure 2, against the action of the spring 38 and ratchets over the teeth 35. During the opening movement of the press, when the lever 31 carries the shoulder screw 33 away from the frame shoulder 34, thespring 38 reacts on the lever 31 causing it to turn the wheel 28 and thus turn the rod 25 to extend it slightly while the press is open.

During the normal operation of the press before the pad crushes, the follower 24 does not move quite to the bottom of the cam slot 23. When, however, the pad becomes compressed, the follower 24 moves to the lower end of the slot beyond the limits of the normal throw from a dotted line posit-ion Figure 2 into the full line position and in so doing moves the motion transmitting links 14 and 15 far enough to cause the shoulder screw 33 to engage the shoulder 34 and actuate the adjuster 31. After one or more of these operations by which the rod is extended to shift the initial position of the head slightly nearer the buck 2 and hence make the head follow up therecedin pad, the throw of the head being always the same, the amount of compression or give of the pad is compensated for and the throw of the actuator again becomes normal, until the padding is further permanently compressed and the operation repeated by the throw of the actuator and the motion transmitting mechanism beyond the l mits of their normal throw.

In the operation of pressing machines, the pressure between the jaws is adjusted by manually turning the wheel 28 at the start of the pressing operations upon a batch of goods of about the same thickness. As the machine operates continuously the pad becomes more or less permanently compressed and hence, the pressure between the pressing elements 1 and 2 decreases. As the pad becomes comby the automatic operation of the adjusting wheel 28 throughthe automatic adjuster.

In Figure 5, the operation of the automatic adjusting lever 41 is controlled directly by the movement of the motor piston 42 beyond its normal throw through pressure operated means, this pressure operated means operating to move a plunger 44 into the path of the adjustable screw end 43 on the lever or cevice 41. In the construction shown in Figures 4 and 5, this plunger 44 is carried at the end of a piston rod 45 of a piston 46 movable in acylinder 47 fixed to the frame, the cylin- (lei-being connected by a pipe 48'to a casing 49 mounted on the motor cylinder 50, equivalent to the cylinder 10, and opening through a port 51 into the cylinder, the port 51 being arranged to be uncovered by the piston 42 when the piston travels beyond the limits of its normal throw. lhe action of the piston 46 is against the returning spring 52. In operation, the motor piston 42 normally moves relative to the port 51 into the position shown in Figure 5 wherebythe port is closed. When the pad becomes compressed lever41 is actuated until the permanent compression of the pad is compensated for.

In both forms of the machine shown, the

pressure is initially adjusted for the thickness of the work by turning the wheel 28 by hand. The initial adjustments are made whenever a change is made from a batch or lot of another thickness.

Although I have shown my automatic pressure adjusting means as operated by the throw of the actuator beyond its normal throw to compensate for decrease in pressure, it obviously may be adapted to automatically decrease the pressure, or be controlled by any variation in the normal throw of the actuator or the motion transmitting mechanism.

WVhat I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, the combination of cooperating pressing jaw elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, actuating means for the movable jaw element, including adjustable means operable to adjust the pressure between said elements, and means retaining a fixed position irrespective of the movement of the adjustable means and operated by the movement of the actuating means beyond itsnormal movement for operating said adjustable means.

2. In a pressing machine, the combination of cooperating pressing elements, one of K which is movable toward and from the other, pressed, the pressure is maintained normal actuating means for the movable element comprising an actuator having a predetermined normal movement, motion transmitting mechanism between the actuator and the movable element including means adjustable to Vary the initial position of the movable element and hence adjust the pressure, an adjuster for operating the adjustable means, and means retaining a fixed position irrespective of the movement of the adjustable means and operated by the movement of the actuating means at a different distance than itsnormal operating movement to actuate the adjuster.

3. .In a pressing machine, the combination of cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, actuating means for the movable element comprising an actuator having a predetermined normal movement, motion transmitting mechanism between the actuator and the movable element including a member adj ustpressure delivered thereby, an adjuster associated with the motion transmitting memher to adjust the same, means for automatically actuating the adjuster upon movement of the actuator a different distance than its normal operating movement, comprising a device provided with ratcheting means and coacting with the adjuster, said device being movable as an unit with said motion transmitting mechanism, and a shoulder means arranged to engage said device and actuate the same relatively to the motion transmitting mechanism when the actuator passes beyond the limit of its normal operating movement.

4. In a pressing machine, the combination of cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, actuating means for the movable element including a member shiftable to vary the initial starting position of the movable element and hence the pressure delivered thereby, an adjuster coact-ing with said member to shift the same, means for automatically actuating the adjuster including a normally idle shifting lever and a member shittable to vary the starting position of the movable element, the lever coacting with said member and means controlled by the movement of the actuating means a difierent distance than its normal operating movement to actuate the lever.

5. In a pressing machine, the combination of cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, actuating means for the movable element including a member shiftable to vary the initial starting position of the movable element and hence adjust the pressure delivered thereby, a lever retaining a fixed positionirrespective of the movement of the member and coacting with said member to shift the same, said lever being carried by and movable with the motion transmitting mechanism, and a fixed shoulder arranged toengage the lever during the movement of the motion transmitting mechanism and actuate the lever when the actuating means moves a different distance than its normal operating movement.

6. In a pressing machine, the combination of cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other,

actuating means forthe movable element including a member shiftable to vary the initial starting position of the movable element, said member having an adjuster connected thereto, means for operating said adjuster in one direction when the actuator moves a different distance than its normal operating movement, a spring connected to said means for actuating the same in the opposite direction, and a one way clutch. device connecting said means and the adjuster.

7. In a. pressing machine, the combination of cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the oth er, actuating means for the movable element, in-

eluding a member shiftable to vary the initial starting position of the movable element and hence the pressure delivered thereby, said member having an adjuster carried thereby and connected thereto, a second member carried by the motion transmitting mechanism and movable therewith, a one Way clutch device connecting the adjuster and the second member, a fixed shoulder arranged to engage the second member to actuate the same in one direction when the actuator moves beyond the limit of its normal operating movement, and a spring connected to thesec- 0nd member to move it in the other direction.

8. In a pressing machine, the combination of cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, means for actuating the movable element comprising an actuator, motion transmitting mechanism between the actuator and the movable element, including an extensible link having an intermediate threaded memher which upon being turned in one direction extends the length of the link and in the other direction shortens the length of the link, a wheel mountedconcentric with said member to turn the same, alever carried by the motion transmitting mechanism and movable therewith, the lever and the wheel having enacting ratchet means. and a fixed shouldc..- ni-eans arranged out of the normal path of the lever during the normal operating movement of the actuator and the motion transmitting mechanism and said shoulder means being arranged to engage the lever upon movement of the actuator and motion transmitting mechanism beyond the limit of the normal operating movement thereof.

9. In a pressing machine, the combination of cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, means for actuating the movable element comprising an actuator having a predetermined normal. movement, motion transmitting connections bet-ween the actuator and the movable element including a member adjustable to lengthen or shorten the said connections and thereby vary the initial position of the movable element and hence the pressure delivered thereby, an adjuster, means for automatically actuating the adjuster upon movement of the actuator a different distance than the normal operating movement the'reof, comprising a lever having means for enacting with the adjuster, coacting shoulders one of which is carried by the lever and the other free from movement with the lever, said shoulders being normally out or? coacting position and one being shiftable into position to coact with the other by the movement of the actuator a different distance than its normal operating movement.

10. In a garment or ironing press, coacting press jaws between which work is placedv for finishin treatment, operating meansto open and close the press, including a movable member connected to one of the jaws to move the latter, adjustment means cooperating with the member to alter theposition of said member and the jaw carried thereby relatively closer to the other jaw, and means retaining a fixed position irrespective of the movement of the adjustment means for automatically setting the adjustment means upon an abnormal extent of movement of the operating means and by which the movable press jaw moves closer to the other jaw.

11. In a garment or ironing press, coacting press jaws bQJWQQIl which articles are pressed, operating means for opening and closing the press, including a toggle, movable means forming part of the toggle for varying its length, and an adjustment device retaining a fixed position irrespective of the movement of the movable means and cooperating therewith for actuating the latter during movement of the toggle beyond its normal extent for changing the length of the toggle as the toggle collapses.

12. In a garment or ironing press, coacting press jaws between which articles are pressed, operating means for opening and closing the press, including a toggle, screwadjustment means included in the toggle to regulate the length of the latter, and automatic mechanism operable upon the toggle flexing beyond a normal extent of movement and coacting with the screw-adjusting means to actuate the latter.

13. In a garment or ironing press, 'coacting press jaws between which articles are pressed, operating means for opening and closing the press, including a toggle, an adjusting screw included in the toggle to extend the length of said toggle, and automatic means operable upon flexing movement of the toggle beyond a normal extent and coacting with the adjust-ing screw to rotate the latter.

14. In a garment or ironing press, a frame, coacting press jaws, a press lever swingable in the frame and attached to one jaw, a toggle operatively connected with the press lever, adjustment means included in the toggle to lengthen the latter, a hand wheel carried by the toggle and adjustment means, and inst-rumentalities mounted on the frame to engage the adjustment means to change the length of the toggle during operation of the press. c

15. In a garment or ironing press, a frame, coacting press jaws, a press lever swingable in the frame and attached to one jaw, a toggle operatively connected with the press lever, screw-connected parts forming a link of the toggle, a ratchet wheel adapted to rotate one of the parts, a pawl means to actuate the ratchet to vary the length of the toggle, and means on the frame to actuate the pawl means as the toggle flexes beyond a normal extent in operating the press.

16. In a garment or ironing press, a frame, coacting press jaws, operating means including toggle links connected to one of the jaws:

to open and close the press, screw-adjustment means having a ratchet mounted on the toggle to move one link in relation to the other to vary the length of the toggle, and .a lever and pawl means pivotally carried on one of the links to actuate the ratchet and en gageable against the frame to actuate the screw-adj ustment means to maintain constant pressure between. the jaws.

17. In a garment or ironing press, a frame, coacting press jaws, operating means including toggle links connected to one of the jaws to open and close the press, screw-adjustment means having a ratchet mounted on the toggle to move one link in relation to the other "to vary the length of the toggle, a lever and pawl means pivotally carried on one of the links to actuate the ratchet, and pressureactuated plunger means on the frame engaging the lever and pawl means to actuate the screw-adjustment means to maintainconstant pressure between the jaws.

18. In a pressing machine, the combination of cooperating pressing 'jaw'elements, one of which is movable toward and from the-0ther,-actuating means for the movable jaw element including an adjustablev means operable to adjust the initial starting position of the movable element and hence the pressure between said elements, and means set into position for operating the adjustable means by' the movement of the actuating means beyond its normal closlng movement and operating said adjustable means upon the opening movement of the actuating means.

19. In a pressing machme,tthe combination oficooperating pressing jaw elements,

one of which is movable toward and from the other,actuatin g means for the movable jaw element including an adjustable means operable to adjust'the initial starting position of the movable element and hence the pressure between said elements, and means retaining a fixed position irrespective of the movement of the adjustable means and set into position for operating the adjustable means by the movement of the actuating means beyond its normal closing movement and operating said adjustable means upon the opening movement of the actuating means.

20. In a garment or ironing press, the combination of a frame, coactingpressing jaws, one of which is movable toward and from the other, operating means actuating the movable pressing jaw, including adjustment means operable to adjust the initial starting position of the movable pressing aw and hence the pressure between the jaws, fluid pressure means connected to the operating means and having a normal extent of movement determined by the pressure between the pressing jaws, fluid operating mechanism for actuating the adjustment means, and valve means opened upon an abnormal extent of movement of the fluid pressure means and connected to the fluid operating mechanism to actuate the adjustment means.

21. In a garment or ironing press, the combination of a fra1ne,coacting pressing jaws, one of which is movable toward and from the other, operating means actuating the movable pressing jaw, including adjustment means operable to adjust the initial starting position of the movable pressing jaw and hence the pressure between the jaws, a cylinder, a fluid pressure piston in the cylinder connected to the operating means and having a normal extent of movement determined by the pressure between the pressing jaws, fluid operating mechanism for actuating the adjustment means, and a fluid connection between the fluid operating mechanism and the cylinder and exposed to the fluid pressure therein upon an abnormal extent of movement of the piston.

22. A garment or ironing press comprising a frame, coacting press jaws thereon, a yielding pad on one of the jaws, operating means to open and close the press, including a motion transmitting memberoperatively connected with one of the jaws, a length changing means carried on the motion transmitting member to increase the effective length thereof to follow up the wear and depression of the pad and maintain uniform pressure as the pad mashes down, extensible means movably mounted upon the frame and upon movement thereof engaging the length changing means, and means actuated by an abnormal extent of movement of the operating means for moving the extensible means into engagement with and operating the length changing means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and in the State of New York, this 21st day of March 1928.

ERNEST DAVIS. 

